The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday said his administration has constructed about 1000km of roads since its inception in 2019.
He spoke at the commissioning of the 3.12 kilometers Oke-Erinja-Ilobi road in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state, even as he promised to ensure the completion of the road all the way to Ilobi.
The project, according to the governor, marks another historic moment in the trajectory and journey of the development of the state, noting that the road is a pathway to progress and economic development that will enhance the quality of life of the Erinja and Ilobi community.
“We have underscored our commitment as a government not just to urban renewal, not just focusing on reconstructing urban roads alone. It is very easy to construct urban roads, but it takes a far-sighted administration to conceive the construction of rural roads.
“It takes a far-sighted administration to appreciate the fact that the food supply chain starts from the rural areas. Our rural communities are our food basket; that is where we have our farmlands.
“Ogun State is about 17,000 square kilometers, out of which 12,000 square kilometers of land is arable, and our people are farmers.
“How do we unlock their potentials? How do we ensure that we achieve food security if we don’t ensure that we construct these roads that connect our farmers from the rural areas to the market? And that is exactly what we have done.
“The Ilobi and Oke-Erinja areas are among our food baskets in the state, and today we have prioritized the construction of their roads.
“It was not intentional to stop the road at Oke-Erinja. I have heard many times that the Erinja and Ilobi people are like Siamese twins, and I will not separate them.
“So, let me assure you, we will complete that road to Ilobi; we will ensure the road ends at Ilobi,” he said.
The Governor also noted that his administration would award the construction of the Sango-Ijoko-Akute road during the week.
According to him, all the efforts of his administration on the Akute-Ajuwon, Alagbole-Ajuwon, Giwa-Oke-Aro, and the Alagbole-Akute roads won’t be appreciated if the Sango-Ijoko-Akute road is not completed.
“We have not left behind our border communities. In the last two weeks, we have been going to Ifo Local Government several times because of the number of people that migrate between that local government and Lagos every day.
“The Sango-Ijoko-Akute road is a road we are soon going to award, possibly this week. It is quite a lengthy piece of road; that road is about 17 kilometers. It is a major arterial road that connects Ogun West to Ogun Central and, of course, to Lagos,” he said.
Governor Abiodun noted that with work on-going on the other side of the Agbara-Atan-Lusada road, he would soon be inspecting the Inter-Change-Papalanto-Obelle road with Alhaji Aliko Dangote to hasten the completion of the road, which is being constructed with tax credit l.
“At the moment, we are reconstructing the Ota-Ifo-Abeokuta road, which will also be of immense benefit to Ogun West.
“The Inter-Change-Papalanto-Obelle road is also under construction; it is a great arterial road that serves as the West-East connector of our state.
“Very soon, I am going to inspect that road with Alhaji Dangote. I have invited him to come and see how well or how not so well the road is progressing.
“We have completed one side of the Agbara-Atan-Lusada road; that was a road nobody believed we would reconstruct.
“Today, one section of that road has been completed from beginning to end, so we can travel from Agbara to Atan-Lusada without the usual tears.
“We’ve now moved to the other side, and by the grace of God, we will complete that other section. That is a major road in Ogun West,” he said.
Governor Abiodun thanked the Olu of Ilaro and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, other monarchs, community leaders, and the people of the community for their collaboration and cooperation towards the completion of the road, saying that his administration would continue to make promises and fulfill them.
Earlier in his remarks, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, noted that the road, after its completion, would aid the development of the community and the state as a whole, adding that the road will also provide access to the Nigeria Police Training College.
Akinsanya said the road was in a deplorable condition before its reconstruction, adding that its reconstruction will bring succor to the people.
The Olu of Ilaro and the Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle commended Governor Abiodun for bringing development to Ogun West, adding that the Governor has done exceedingly well.
The monarch also urged the Governor to extend the construction of the road from Erinja to Ilobi, saying that the extension will further take development to other parts of the town.
